Bravo boys

Reuters reports that a bra designed for male cross dressers in Japan has been selling well on Rakuten online supermarket. Lately I've noticed a bit of an increase in men dressed as women in Japan, especially as schoolgirls which can be a little disturbing as many don't shave their legs or make any attempt to walk in a 'ladylike' fashion.

Jinbocho theater

Strolling about Jinbocho tonight I came across this amazing building. Of course, the pic is not mine but courtesy of Ping Mag who have done a piece about the architecture. The interior is really plush and right now they seem to be doing a film season of old Japanese movies. Check out the Japanese website.

Juana Molina comes to Tokyo

I interviewed Juana Molina for Japan Times last week prior to her live show here next week. Check it out on the Japan Times website.

Drying fish Tokyo style

In small fishing towns on the Izu peninsula, you can see fish put out to dry in the sun. In Tokyo we don't get many natural rays due to all those skyscrapers so this is one fish shop owners improvised alternative: use the dusty air coming out of the air con. Yuck! This is part of a set of pictures I took today round near Tokyo University. Check it out.

Women in Japan's wine world

My article on Japanese women who succeed in the world of wine was published in Japan Times today. I spoke to a successful wine buyer, sommelier, writer and winemaker. The lady above is Miyuki Ishisbashi and she's a wine buyer, she's a pretty amazing person. She speaks French fluently in addition to English and often jets off to France and London as part of her job. Click on this link to read more.

Though a lens backwards

Back from the Tokyo Museum of Photography and saw a really funny an touching series of photos by Asakai Yoko as part of the Contemporary Japanese Photography exhibition. She basically went round taking pictures of people engrossed in watching movies. The people above are in Berlin and watching 'The Seventh Seal'. It's a such a shame this image is so small, because the guy's expression in the middle is classic, but click on this link to check out a flash show of her prints.

Obama Japan celebrates

CNN just ran a piece on how the people of the town of Obama in Japan have gone wild for the new president.

Ear drills

Wandering around Tokyo Hands today I came across a display showing the latest in ear cleaning technology. This little device, shaped like a drill, called Scratch Miming claims to clear blocked earwax that normal cotton buds just miss out on. Watch the video on the website for extra eww factor. The same company also makes tiny graters used to remove dry skin from your feet. Cheesy feet topping anyone?